green power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, technical, journalistic, business
Quick answer
What does “green power” mean?
A term for electricity or energy generated from renewable, environmentally friendly sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, rather than fossil fuels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term for electricity or energy generated from renewable, environmentally friendly sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, rather than fossil fuels.
A social and economic movement advocating for and investing in renewable energy. Can also imply political or consumer power wielded by environmentally conscious groups.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major structural difference. 'Green energy' is a very common synonym in both, though 'green power' is a standard industry term. The UK often uses 'green tariff' for consumer offers.
Connotations
In the US, it is strongly linked to policy debates and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. In the UK, it is frequently used in consumer-facing marketing for electricity suppliers.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties within environmental, business, and policy contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “green power” in a Sentence
The government is promoting [green power].We switched to [a green power supplier].The company sources 100% of its energy from [green power].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “green power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council aims to green-power all municipal buildings by 2030.
- We are looking to green-power our data centres.
American English
- The tech company pledged to green-power its operations.
- They decided to green-power the new campus with solar.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- They signed a green-power tariff with their supplier.
- The green-power initiative has broad support.
American English
- We need more green-power infrastructure.
- She works for a green-power startup.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a product (electricity), a corporate sustainability goal, or an investment sector. E.g., 'Our new factory runs entirely on green power.'
Academic
Used in environmental science, engineering, and policy papers to discuss energy systems, carbon reduction, and transitions.
Everyday
Used when discussing personal choices like switching electricity suppliers or installing solar panels.
Technical
Precisely refers to electrical power from qualifying renewable sources, often meeting specific certification standards (e.g., REGOs, RECs).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “green power”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “green power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “green power”
- Using it as an adjective before non-energy nouns (e.g., 'green power car' is wrong; use 'electric car' or 'car powered by green energy'). Confusing it with 'green political power' (i.e., influence of Green parties).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for most practical purposes they are synonyms. 'Green power' often implies the electricity is delivered to consumers or used in a certified way, while 'renewable energy' is a broader technical term for the source.
Not primarily. The core meaning is about energy. If you say 'the green power in parliament,' it might be understood as 'the influence of the Green Party,' but this is a contextual, metaphorical extension and could cause confusion.
They are on a similar level of formality. 'Green power' is very common in official, corporate, and utility company communications. 'Green energy' is perhaps slightly more common in everyday conversation.
Not physically. The grid mixes all power. When you buy green power, you are paying for your supplier to put an equivalent amount of renewable energy into the grid on your behalf, supporting the renewable sector.
A term for electricity or energy generated from renewable, environmentally friendly sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, rather than fossil fuels.
Green power: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːn ˈpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrin ˈpaʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No direct idioms. The term itself is a fixed compound.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a green leaf powering a light bulb. 'Green' for the environment, 'power' for electricity.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IS A SOURCE OF ENERGY / CLEANLINESS IS A FORM OF POWER.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'green power' most specifically refers to: